Back to the '80s: Carlos & Rebecca's San Francisco Wedding

As a child of the '80s, with a mild (OK, intense) obsession with George Michael, I'm pretty excited by the idea of an '80s-themed wedding, but this San Francisco bash has exceeded all of my expectations! Carlos and Rebecca's real wedding at The Winery SF was full of cool throwback details, including retro treats, new wave tunes and an actual Delorean, but crucially, it never felt gimmicky. The couple kept things chic and elegant when it came to bridal party style and décor, and treated their guests to jaw-dropping views of the city! ComePlum Photography were kind enough to share their images from the day, so let's dive right in!

Carlos and Rebecca met through San Francisco-based dating app Coffee Meets Bagel. "On our first date, Carlos shared that his favorite TV show is a Korean variety show called Running Man. I went home and watched an episode and fell over laughing. Knowing that our senses of humor matched, I was intrigued and ready for the next date. When I learned that Carlos not only was familiar with Gilmore Girls but also liked it, I was in!"

Carlos proposed during a trip to Europe, choosing the roof deck of the Reichstag building in Berlin as the location. "He kept it a total surprise, despite keeping the ring in the backpack that I was packing each day and often carrying! I was completely surprised and could only say, 'Are you serious?!' and then happily said yes!" Carlos had even hacked into Rebecca's secret Pinterest board of engagement rings for research! Clever move, Carlos!

The couple quickly decided that their top priority for the wedding was creating a relaxed, party atmosphere for their guests. "We wanted a fun night filled with dancing and a ceremony that felt personal to us. We wanted our guests to have a great time and feel comfortable," Rebecca says, adding "Mission accomplished!"

I would have never thought of choosing a busy street as the location for a first look, but it really adds to the excitement!

What a knockout! The delicate lace on this gown by Los Angeles bridal brand Stone Cold Fox is just so pretty, and the vibrant orange florals are perfect for a Pacific Coast wedding!

Initially, the couple pictured getting married in a rural setting in Napa or Sonoma, but The Winery SF on Treasure Island in San Francisco made them change their minds! "We were taken by the personality of the space and, of course, the gorgeous back drop of the Bay Bridge. Carlos and I always loved Treasure Island and visited often. An early gift that Carlos gave me was a rendering he made of a beautiful silhouette photo of us kissing in the sunset on Treasure Island, so it seemed appropriate to get married there."

The next step for Carlos and Rebecca was to add some personality to their big day, by throwing back to their favourite era! "The entire event had a nice nod to the '80s." Rebecca tells us. "Carlos is a Back to the Future superfan, so I was delivered to the ceremony in a Delorean! After dinner ended, the entire party was on the dancefloor the rest of the night. The music was a mix of new wave '80s (my favourite), K-pop (Carlos’ favourite), and 80s Spanish rock (both of our favorites, and also for Carlos’ Chilean family).

What a view! It almost looks like the Bay Bridge dressed for the occasion!

The couple kept things really simple for their ceremony, but of course, there were a few '80s elements too. "I walked down the aisle to one of my favourite songs, 'Only You' by Yazoo," Rebecca explains. "Being married by our friend Manu made the ceremony incredibly personal. We enjoyed not having a bridal party so the focus was on us, the couple. Carlos’ family was visiting the US for the first time from Chile. Though they couldn’t all attend, having his dad, aunt, sister, and niece and nephews there was incredible."

How gorgeous is Rebecca's bridal jacket?! Turns out it's not a bridal jacket at all - she simply swiped it from one of her guests on the way to take these wedding portraits (after asking permission, of course!)

Carlos and Rebecca had dreamt of a truly unique wedding, and that's exactly what they got! "The entire day and night felt like us," Rebecca says. "Everyone hung out together and even a few friends who came alone (leaving their families on the East Coast) said it was the most fun wedding ever. You know it’s a fun, friendly crowd when folks coming alone shut the dancefloor down with their new friends!"

Rebecca's advice to couples who are currently planning a wedding is to get it all down on paper. "Write out your vision and priorities as a couple. Decide on what’s non-negotiable and what you’re open to ideas from your family and friends on. Be relentless with creating the experience you want and that represents you as a couple."

I love how the couple used napkins in muted, vintage-style colours to enhance the vibrant floral centrepieces. This is such a simple touch, but oh-so-effective.

After the wedding, Carlos and Rebecca hosted Carlos' family in the Bay Area, before heading on a long weekend to Sea Ranch, California. "The following week, we enjoyed another long weekend, but this time in Palm Springs. The big honeymoon was in December and January for three weeks to Japan and South Korea. It was incredible!"

The donut hole kabobs from Dunkin Donuts are so cute, and another nod to the '80s!

What a gorgeous, fun day! At this point we have to say a huge thank you to Carlos and Rebecca for letting us fawn over their wedding, and to ComePlum Photography for sharing the stunning photographs!